THE works of Colombia’s most recognized painter and sculptor Fernando Botero are on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

    Selected from among the artist’s personal collection, the pieces in the exhibit encompass 81 oil paintings and 14 canvas sketches created since the 1970s. Botero, 83, traveled to China for the first time to attend the opening of the exhibition. “I’m very pleased to come to China, to present my work to a Chinese audience and to learn about this country. I adore Chinese culture, sculpture and painting very much,” Botero said.

    Botero has won worldwide renown with his unique painting style and incessant exploration in proportion and color. His paintings and sculptures are united by their proportionally exaggerated figures.

    The exhibition is Botero’s debut on the Chinese mainland. Jointly sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Colombian Embassy in China, it is part of a series of cultural exchanges between Colombia and China to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

    The exhibit runs through Jan. 2 and will later travel to the China Art Museum in Shanghai.

    (SD-Agencies)